Flexible shaft



A. S. McCASKEY.

FLEXIBLE SHAFT.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. Io, Isls. 4

om .1 Qu. 11 3T 2H .H p es Sm d" es t m2 t u P TIIB COLUMBIA PLANCIURAPII cn.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- @gz We?? for" www' .ALFRED S. vIVICCASKEY, OF-GiHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLEXIBLE SHAET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented-Sept.f2,'1919.

Application inea' January 10, 1919. :serilNoL 276,467.

To all 'whomiz't may' concern:

5 Be' it? lmown that IQALERED MCCASKEY, a citizen'eflthe United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county lof @ook and State' of'Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in* Flexible Shafts and Iido hereby declarethat the following is a full, clearjand exact description thereof, reference being had to the accon'ipanying drawings, and 'to the letters of Ireference marked there-on, whichformy a part of this specification.

This invention relatesto improvements 1n flexible 'shafts and consists of the matters hereinafter idescribed and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. t

In flexible shafts of that type wherein each shaft unit is made'w'ith ai bearing notch in one end and a projecting lug at the other adapted to engage the corresponding bearing notch of an adjoining unit in suclrmanner as to permit of flexibility between the engaged shaft units, it' has been found desirable heretofore to use means for 'retaining the units in theirfassembled relation. For example, Letters `Patent No. 1,258,233 dated March 5,1918, illustrates thisty'pe of shaft, in which the units were tubular and wherein it was lfound necessary to employ rings withinthe unitsto retain the lugs within ithe bearing notches.`

Inl other instances, it has been found desiralble to 'employ a mandrel 4within the tu bul'ar units for'the same purpose. Such retaining mandrel 'may be, for example, a

`coiled spring 'er 'a flexible body such as a hose or metal ttibe whichwonld usually extend longitudinally of the shaft through several units.

The principal ebjec-t of inyinventionis to climinfatehll extra locking parts or devices in flexible shafts composed of inter-engaging shaft units of the general'type above referred to, and to accomplish the locking of the assembled units by means integral with the unit. yThis may be accomplished not only in that vtype 'of flexible sha-ft wherein the units areef'caist orforged tubular form, as well as 'withthose units'stam-ped out of a blankand `fashioned in tnbiilar form, but also with'iinitsiformed of rods or other solid metal. The integral locking means may be employed in various ways. For example, in the sheet metal type, the locking agency may be created when theblank is stamped out and may be brought into action as and when the blank is fashioned'in Atubular form. 'In thecasc of cast or forged ti'iliillar nnits or units 'out ont of ysolid l'rnetahthe "lo'cking agency may ljclci'c'ate'd anfhhroh'ght into ac" tio'nisA part of the shaftiass'embly eperation. Agai'min" tlie"ca'se ofa tiiblular'int,'the locking `agency may consist of integralpro- Je'ctions or protuberances" created" when the unit is lfrnie(l":'n`i` 1l which, after' two iinits are assei'nblled, may bebent i'nto'a dill'e'rent position to'engage' 'opposite sides of the adjoining unit.

The obje'ct ofthe inventin is toprovide a flexible lshaft, nfhich'is cheap to manufacture, easyto assemble,'ellicient in operation for its intended purpose,"an'd which is strong and" durable, thl's insnring greater amount ofse'rviee than has heretofore been attainable in ilcxiblelshaft-s as now made.

@ther objects and advantages willy appear as It proceed' with my specification.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a`vicw in iside elevation' 'ofl'ne form of' my improvedI flexible shaft as'it ap pears within itssheath or covering.

Fig. is a vviewof a portion of" this s'ame shaft, sho'wingtwo adieining:units without the sheath orcovering.

Fig. 3'is a'view on asomewhat enlarged scale showing one `unit of a iiexibl'e 'shaft made in laccordance with" this same form of my invention.

Fig. fl is a transverse `sectional view through two"adjoining` units of this same form of `my improved"flexible shaft, the plane fthesection'being indicated by the am. imi einig. e.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View on an 'enlarged scale of one ofthe iinit'sonlinlts of amodi- Iicatioh 'of my iniprf'wed llexibl'e sh'aft.

Fig. G is a sectional View similar to that of Fig. L showingtwo adjoining unitsof the modified form illustrated in Fig. 5.

Figs. 7 and 8 are`vi`ews similartothosc' of Figs. 3 an'd Q `i"espectiv`ely, lilit'illustrating my invention applied to units formed of solid metal.`

Figs. 9, 10 and 1'1 illustrateyet'anther embodiment of 'the inventionavherein the l units are made of sheet lnetalbcnt iito tnbul ar form.

Fig. 12 is a plan View 'of la blank from which Vthe unitillusti'ated in Figsff), y10 and llrnay bemade.

Referring new to that embodiment of my invention as illustrated in thedrawings'and .a length approximating its diameter. This proportion could be materially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention. l

,The body 2 of each unit l is provided at one end with a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposite lugs 3, 3,

and at its other end .with complementary shaped, bearing notches 4, in which the lugs 3, 3, of an adjoining unit are adapted to engage in a manner coupling said units together. The diametric plane of the lugs 3 of one unit is arranged at right angles to the corresponding plane of the .bearing notches 4 in the same unit.k The advantage of such an arrangement is manifest.

Each lug 3 consists of a head 5 which is connected to the end of the associated body 2 by means of a neck 6, the lateral edges of which diverge outwardly as they approach said body. Each bearing notch 4, formed in the oppositeend of said body is of a contour corresponding to and adapting it to receive the lugs 3 ofy an adjoining unit. Each bearing notch 4 opens into the free end of `said body by means of a somewhat restricted passage or throat 7, through which the neck 6 of an associated lug 3 extends when said units are coupled or connected together. v

As shown in Fig.1, the left-hand, endmost unit 1 is coupled or connected by means of its lugs 3 in bearing notches 8 (which are identical to the bearing notches 4, before mentioned), formed in a terminal unit 9.l

Said terminal unitmay be either a tool holding chuck or. the like or it may constitutea coupling connection with a suitably driven member. f Y

10 indicates a suitable sheath or covering for the shaft which may comprise an innerA metallic member of coiled wire 11 and an outer member of flexible material 12, such as rubber or textile tubing. A collar 13 is fixed to the terminal end of said sheath, and a bearingk ring 14 is 4placed within sail collar to provide the proper `bearing for the terminal unit 9. y f

To prevent any tendency of the several coupled together or connected units to pinch` or cut into the sheathing and to prevent binding between the adjoining ends of the several units, especially when the shaft as a whole is arranged on ay curve or arc, it is desirable to round oil' the sharp edge at the ends of the body of each unit as indicated at 15, 15, in Figs. 2 and 3. At 16 is indicated a recess extending part way around the inner part of the bearing notch 4 and 17 is a small projection extend ing outwardly from the lug 3. These prof jections and recesses 17, 16 are complemental and serve to bind or lock adjacent units. 'Ihat is to say, the projections 17 hold thelugs 3 within the notches 4. The recess 16, being much longer than the width vof the, projection 17, affords a desirable range of flexibility of movement between said locked units. I prefer to construct the recess 16 and the projections 17 by a suitable mechanism after theunits are constructed,and as part of the shaft assembling operation. That is to say, the units 1 are first made without the recesses 16 and projections 17, and two units lare then assembled by placing thevlugs 3 of one unit within ythe bearing notches 4 of the next unit, and then the two units so assembled areA subjected to the action of a suitable press whichforms the recess 16 and then acts upon the lugs 3 and forces out suflicient of its `metal to form the projection 17. Manifestly, the only way to disassemble the units thus flexibly locked together is to physically remove one of the projections 17 from its lug 3.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the units 1 are also tubular in form, and correspond in every ,particular with the units shown in Figs. 1 and 4 inclusive, just described. with this exception, namely: that -instead of subjecting ,the assembled units to the action of a suitable machine to form the recesses 16 and projections 17 there are no such recesses, and inilieu of the projections 17 of the first form, I construct on each lug`3 ay downwardly and inwardly directed l projection or lug 18 as clearly seen in Fig. 5. When the units having projections 18 are assembled, said pror jections are bent forwardly in prolongation of the lugs 3 and extend under and against the innersurface of the bearing notches 4, as clearly disclosed in Fig. 6, thus forming interlocking shoulders 19 and preventing th-e disassembly of the units.

In that form illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, thev units 21 are made from solid metal, such for example as a rod;l `Each unit has a cylindric body 22, a longitudinally extending projecting lug 23 extending across one end, and at its-other end a complementary shaped bearing notch 24 in which the lug 23 of the adjoining unit is adapted to engage, will be manifest from the drawings, the diametric plane of the lug 23 being arranged at right angles to the corresponding plane of the notch 24.

When the units 21 are being assembled, a suitable press may form recesses 25, 26 on .its

opposite sidesof the body 22 .at tlie`oiiter @dsGS 0f the bearing notches 2t (simi-.ier .t0 tlierecess .1G of Fig. 2), and alsoprgss ont a lock projection You the enter lendskof Ghehe Said' projections 12T .being 1.1M-

roweixthan tbelength of the recesses 25,126, and adapted licenses@ there .as yilhletrated inV Fi i to lock two adj oiningl and assembled iiiiitsl, 2l from; disengagement.

- tliemargin a, it follows that on theopposite side c, there Will be one recess Z and two halt recesses l, CZ. The diametric ,plane of the recesses Z and d', when the blank 4is' folded into ltubular lform, will be .at right angles totliecorresponding planeet the projections 7) in the same unit.

The margin of the two projections b, b, on the sanieside of the blank B,.are beveled ott' at to constitute, in effect, `a projecting or overlapping part of the projections .6, b. The corresponding marginsof the .recesses d, (Z, onv the opposite side of `the blank are similarly beveled lat f, the latter ybeing 3indicated by dotted `ilines in Fig. l2.` It follows that when the blank B is bent up to form a tiibiilariinit,as C, and a secondi'blank then similarly termed, ,in ,juxtaposition to the formed unit C, as indicated at D, not only .willthe projections Z), b, ofthe ,iinit D properly engage `the recesses (l .and cl of the unit C, but the beveled overlapping .portions c of the unit .will have flocking bearing engagement with `the `beveled portions of the i'init C and thus prevent the ,disassociation of the units C and D.

Thus ,it will appear that whether the units arm-fashioned lbefore or diiringor as a part of .the shaft-assembling operation,4

provision madel for projecting lugs on one iinit to flexibly engage bearing notches in the adjoiningiinit, to form the shaft, .and that cooperating means, :integral .with each unit, is provided lto look lthe iinits in flexible relation and prevent disassembly.

-While in ,describing my invention I have referred to certain details of mechanical construction and arrangement .of parts,` I do not wish .to be limited thereto except as mav 'be pointed ont the appended claims.

I claim as my invention.: l. A .flexible shaft comprising a plurality of iinits, each off said units comprising a body part having at one end diametridally opposite bearing notches and at its other end longitudinally extending, diametrically opproximate surfaces or margins of adjoining f positebeai'ing lugs` arranged at rightnngles to said notches'said lugs beingaclaptedto engage withi n, the bearing notches of. the idjoining Unit in nimmer Permittingot' .a :flexible movement between `said units, ,and integral means for operatively retainingthe his@ ,Within said bearing' notches- 2. A flexible slntilt'eoinpigisinga plurality of nnits, each lofsaid iinitscompi-'ising a,t n-` bnlalibody parthaving atene end diametrically opposite bearing notches and `at its other end .longitiidinally extending, diametrieally opposite bearing lugs arranged at rightanglesto saidnotches, said lugs being adapted tol engage within Lthe `bearing notchbesof ,theadjoiningliinit in amanner permitting `of a flexible movement between said units, and integral means loi' opera- 'ClVCly ,I'Qtainingthe liigs ,Within said bearing notches.

BIA flexible shaft comprising a plurality of amits, vcach ot' said iunits comprising 4a body part ihaving at one end diametrically opposite .bea-ring notches `and `at its other end longitudinally extending diametricallv opposite bearing lugs .arrafiigedgat right angles to said notches, said liigs being adapted to engage ivithin fthe bearing y.notches of the adJoining iinit in ,a manner permitting of flexibleinovment,between said units and integral means for interlocking itlie margin of the lng andthe corresponding partei' its notch to retain the lng therein.

-4. n flexible shaft vcomprising a'plurnility ot nuits, each of said units comprising a;tiibillar body part ,having at one end diametrieally Aopposite ,bearing notches land atiius other .end longitudinally extending diametrically opposite bearing ilngs .arranged at right, angles `tosaid notches, .said lugs being adapted yto engage within .the hearing notches .of the adjoining unit in .a .manner permitting of flexible `movement between said units and integral means for interlocking the margin of .the lng .and the -cori'espending part of its notch to retain the lng therein. i

A flexible shaft comprising a plurality ot units, each ofv said ii'nits comprising a body pal't having at one end diamctrically opposite hearing notches and at. its other end longitudinally extending diamctricalliv opposite lbearing lugs arranged at right aiigles to said notches, said lugs being Aadapted to engage within the bearing notches of .the adjoining iinit in a manner permitting of a flexible movement between said units, and integral means 'loi operatively retaining the lugs within Said bearingr notches', said means comprising compleinental interlocking means ony the Alugs and notches.

A flexible shaft comprising a plurality of units, each ot Said n-nits comprising a tu.- bular body part having at one end dia.- l metrically opposite bearingy notches and: at

lill) its'other end longitudinally extending diaiiietrically opposite bearing lugs 4arraiigedat right angles to saidnotches, said lugs being adapted to engage within the bearing notches of theadjoining unityin a manner permitting of a flexible movement between said units, and integral means for operatively retaining j the lugs within said bearing notches, said means comprising complemental interlocking means on the lugs and notches. i

7. flexible shaft comprising aplurality of units, each of said units coii'iprising a body partV having :at one end diam'etrically opposite bearing notches: and at its other endV longitudinally extending diametrically opposite bearing lugs arranged at right angles to said notches, saidlugs being adapted to engage within the bearing notches `of the adjoining unit in a manner permitting of a flexible movementbetween said units, and integral` nieansfor operatively retaining the lugs within said bearing notches, said means including a projection on each lug adapted Y for locking engagement with the unit body adjacent the lug recess.

8. A flexible shaft comprising a plurality of units, each of said'units comprising 'atubu'lar body part having at one'end diametrically opposite bearing notches and at its other end longitudinally lextending diametiicallyl opposite bearing lugs -arranged at right angles toA saidv notches, said] lugs being adapted to engage within the bearing notches of the adjoining unitf in a manner 'permitting of a flexible movement between'fsaid units, and integral means for operatively retaining the lugs within said bearing notchesgk.

said means including a projecti-onion each lug'adapted for vlocking engagement with the unit body-adjacent the lug recess.

9.- A flexible shaft comprising a plurality of the lug and engage the adjacent link unit.

bod i i i f 137. A flexible shaft comprising a plurality of units, each of said units comprising` a tabular body part having at one end diametrically opposite hearing notches' and at its other end longitudinally extending diametrically opposite bearing lugs arranged at right angles to said notches, said lugs beisis-af ing adapted to engage within the bearing notches of the .adjoining lunit in a mannei permitting of a flexible movement between said units, and integral means for operatively retaining the lugs within said bearing notches, said means including interiorly and inwardly directed, locking projections on they lugs adapted to be bent outwardly to project beyond the marginfo'f the lug and engage thefadjacent link unitbody.

' 11. A flexible shaft comprisingha plurality of units, eachof said units comprising a body part having' at one end diametrically opposite bearing notches and at its other end longitudinally extending diametrically opposite bearing liigsarranged at right angles to 'said notches, said lugs beingl adapted to engage withinthe bearing notches of the adjoining-'unit in a manner permitting of ilex-V kible movementbetween said units, diametrically opp'osi'teory cut away portions ordepressions inthe body of each unit adjacent to the 'bearing` notches, and "c'ompleinental means on each lug adapted to operatively engage said depressions.` .j i

"12. A flexible shaftV- comprising a plurality of"un'its,"each of said units comprising a tubular 'body part having -at-one end 'diametricallyopposite bearing notches and at its otherend longitudinally extending diaiiietrically opposite bearing lugs yarranged at right angles to said notches, said lugs being` adapted to engage `within the bearing notches of the adjoining unit inl a manner permittingofflexible movement between said units, diametricallyopposite or cut away portions or depressions in the body of each unit adjacent to the bearing notches, and complemental means on each lug adapted to operatively engage said depressions.`

18. A flexible shaft comprisingv a plurality of' units7 each of's'aid units comprising a body part having at one end diametrically opposite bearing notches and` at its other end longitudinally extending diametrically opposite bearing lugs arranged at right angles'tosaid notches, said lugs being adapted to engage within the bearing notches of the adjoining unit ina manner permitting of a flexible movement between said units, and meansl on each unit arranged to vvoverlap the adjacent part of the next unit in the shaft toretain the unitsagainst displacement after being assembled.

14( A flexible shaft comprisingaplurality of' units, each of said units comprising a tubular body part having at one end diametrically opposite bearing notches and at its other end longitudinally extending diametrically opposite bearing lugs arranged at right angles to said notches, said lugs being adapted to engage within the bearing notches offth'e adjoining unit in aV manner permitting-of' a flexible movement between said units, and means on'each unit arranged to 130 overlap the adjacent part of the next unit in the shaft to retain the units against displacement after being assembled.

15. A flexible shaft comprising a plurality of units made from sheet metal blanks, each blank when folded into tubular 'form comprising a body part having at one end diametrically opposite bearing notches, and at its other end longitudnally extending, diametrieally opposite bearing lugs arranged at right angles to said notches, the lugs being adapted to engage the bearing notches of an adjoining unit in a manner to permit Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the of flexible movement between said units, and integral, eomplemental locking means on 15 said lugs and notches to retain the lugs in said notches.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention I ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 4th day of 20 January, A. D. 1919.

ALFRED S. MCCASKEY.

Witnesses:

TAYLOR E. BROWN, B. L. MAGGREGOR.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

